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“Is the food ready yet?” Paimon asked, floating around Aethers head as he continued to stir the food in one of the roadside pots. They currently had stopped for the night on one of the roads of Liyue.
“Not yet back off.” Aether swatted Paimon away with the spoon he was using
“Heeey don’t attack Paimon.” They pouted, sitting back down on the wooden log. “Paimon is just hungry after a long day of commissions.” Paimon explained looking longingly at the pot of food almost buzzing with excitement.
“It’s almost ready, chill out.” Aether reached his hand out and thought of the two bowls he placed in his, now smaller, pocket dimension and pulled it out of the air. Aether filled up one of the bowls and passed it over to Paimon. Paimon gladly took the bowl and quickly began eating. Aether chuckled and filled up his bowl as well. Paimon oddly started to slow down as they were eating and looked like they were trying to think of something.
“Ya good?” Aether asked, setting down his bowl.
“Paimon just has a question.” Paimon began
“What’s your question?”
“Paimon was just wondering how your magic works. Like how you did the bond thingy with me.” Paimon politly asked, tilting their head.
Aether thought about that for a moment. Thanks to the bond he placed on Paimon. Aether’s been able to understand whatever language Paimon knows as long as Paimon is in earshot. It's an ability both he and Lumine possessed. Most of his powers had been locked away by the unknown god. Like how his pocket dimension felt like everything he had before was locked away and now he only had a small empty space when he woke up here on Teyvat. Luckily he still had the ability to bond although it was way weaker. Instead of bonding with multiple people it had only been able to attach to Paimon at the moment. Luckily Paimon had easily understood after he explained his situation. So as a way to thank him for fishing them out of the water Paimon decided to travel with him to be his guide and translator. Aether was absolutely relieved that Paimon had stayed with him this whole time.
“To be honest I don’t fully know how it works. It's just always been something I knew how to do. Natural like walking or maybe like your floating.” Aether tried to explain.
Paimon chuckled “Okay, it’s just sad that no one else knows your name Aether.” Looking at up at him with sympathy. “All they can hear is just you calling yourself the traveler.”
Aether chuckled. “Yeah it’s been odd. But that’s just how the bond ends up working.”
“When you traveled to other worlds did everyone know your actual name?” Paimon asked.
“Yeah before my powers got sealed I could bond with as many people as I wanted. If my powers still worked like it should, anyone who heard about me would hear stuff about the traveler but once I actually told them my name they would start to hear my name.” Aether explained.
“Oh, that's cool.” Paimon went back to eating her food. “Is there anyone you’ve met that you would want to know your name?”
Aether looked over the lands of Liyue. From where they were sitting Aether could see Wangshu Inn off in the distance. Xiao was someone he wanted to tell. Every time he had spent time with the yaksha he felt like himself and was always so excited to see him again. Xiao was still reluctant to spend too long with him, always worried he would harm him with his karmic debt. Aether wished his purification ability he was able to use on Davlin would quickly remove all of it. Although he did notice that Xiao always looked more relieved after spending time with Aether so he hoped it was helping even just a bit.
They had spent a few times together helping each other out with things when Xiao had promised that all Aether had to do was to say his name and he would be there. Aether had attempted to tell Xiao his own name right then but as he thought about it his throat closed up like it was locked against his will and he couldn’t even get out the words,
“my name is.”
Later, after Verr Goldet and Huai’an had told Aether about the Lantern Rite and he had been able to convince Xiao to join him to watch the Lantern Rite. He tried again before the lanterns were released but the same thing happened. At this point he accepted that Xiao would probably not know his name any time soon. Not until he was able to unlock whatever power the unknown god used on him to seal away his powers.
Paimon looked up in the direction Aether was looking towards and looked back at him with a devious grin.
“You want to tell your Crush.” Paimon grinned over their bowl. Aether could feel his face blush.
“He’s not my Crush.” Aether started to quickly eat his food trying to avoid this same conversation with Paimon over again.
“Sure he isn’t. Every time you see him you get so excited. You also go to the top of Wangshu Inn every time we stop there just to see if he’s there.” Paimon said knowingly.
“I just like spending time with him.” Aether relented.
“Oooo you should tell him.” Paimon shot up floating around Aether's head.
“I’ve already tried and it didn’t work.”
“I know, I mean you should tell him you like him.” Paimon started bouncing up and down in excitement. “We're going to be walking by Wangshu Inn tomorrow anyway, and you could bring him some Almond Tofu.”
“Are you sure?” Aether started to worry. If he told Xiao and he didn’t like him back. He would never be able to face him again.
“You'll be fine, besides every time we see him he seems to be more relaxed around you and not as grumpy as he is to everyone else. Plus you guys have already been on a date during the Lantern Rite.”
“That wasn’t a date. Was it?”
“Paimon would say so. You had dinner and he walked you to Liyue city so you could go see the lanterns.” Paimon floated closer to him almost like they were sitting down next to him.
“Okay I’ll try. But we should get some rest.” Would he even be able to admit his feelings and how odd is it that he would be able to tell Xiao how he felt but still be unable to ever tell him his own name.
“That's true it is practically almost dark anyway. But Paimon will make you tell him or Paimon will do it themselves.” Paimon started to float away to the side getting ready to lie down on their bed mat.
Aether nodded and started to clean up all the cooking supplies, sending them back to their places in his pocket dimension. Hopefully he will be able to sleep tonight and not worry about whether he will be able to admit his feelings to Xiao tomorrow. Looking back towards Wangshu Inn he could just make out where the top balcony of the Inn was if he really tried to pay attention. The big question was would Xiao even be there or would he have to call for him. He hoped he wouldn’t have to call for him. He wanted to only use that gift Xiao gave him if it was something necessary. Not just a ‘Hey I missed you and also I really like you’ kind of a thing.
There was a loud rustle of leaves behind him and as he started to turn to look Aether was tackled to the ground.
“Aether!” Paimon shrieked shooting up from their mat. As Paimon shot up towards him, Aether watched as a blond treasure hoarder grabbed Paimon. “Eeeeek, Let Paimon go!” Aether reached forward to summon his weapon when his arm was yanked behind him and harshly pinned to his back
“No you don’t, you’ve caused the treasure hoarders enough trouble already Traveler.” one of the treasure hoarders pinning him hissed.
“Let Aether go, you rotten thieves.” Paimon shrieked as they tried to get out of the treasure hoarder's grasp.
“Put the fairy in a bag.” One of the bigger ones shouted.
“Aether! Someone help us! Aether!” Paimon screamed.
“Paimon!” Aether yelled and summoned as much wind as he could. It pushed one of the Treasure hoarders off of him but the one pinning his arm yanked upwards causing a yelp and he lost control of the gust of wind. Aether watched as Paimon was roughly stuffed into a large burlap sack. Aether couldn’t do anything because both of his hands were pinned so he couldn’t get his sword or anything from his pocket dimension and now he couldn’t summon enough wind in time to get them off.
“We can’t have the two of you keep stopping us every time we get word of treasure so we’re stopping you before you get the chance. Leave the floating creature here. Take the Traveler.” Aether felt a deep dread wash over. Again he tried to summon all the wind he could. Aether saw something swiftly swing right towards his head and the shovel smacked hard against the side of his head. Aether felt himself go limp and could barely make out Paimon screaming for help before they went silent and everything went dark.
...
Everything about Aether ached in the morning. His head mostly but also his sides. He probably got slammed by a Mitachurl’s shield yesterday. Hopefully there wasn’t anything planned today. He may just have to avoid going out to do any kind of commissions as well. Hopefully Paimon wouldn’t convince him to head back to Liyue, That would be a long walk.
All of Aethers thoughts felt shaken up. It was hard to think of anything at the moment. Maybe he could convince Paimon to just have them sleep for the whole day.
Although wherever they were sleeping wasn’t the best. It smelled of damp dirt, rocks and was also somewhat chilly. Had he and Paimon found a cave to spend the night in to avoid some rain. It didn’t smell like rain water. It had to be more stagnant. Something about all of this didn’t feel right. Aether could recognize that he was resting against the wall instead of his bed role. Did he fall asleep leaning against the wall? No that wasn’t it. His arms were also pressed against the wall as if something metallic was holding them there. That was something that screamed at him, something was terribly wrong. Opening his eyes he was greeted with metal bars in front of him. His wrists were chained to the wall behind him. Paimon wasn’t here either.
The events of last night started coming back to him. Chatting with Paimon, getting attacked by Treasure hoarders. Paimon getting stuffed into a bag, getting knocked out. Aether attempted to pull his arms forward but there wasn’t any give. That left him unable to pull anything out of his pocket dimension or get his weapon. Aethers head still was stinging in pain. There was something wet sticking to the side of his forehead. Pressing his forehead against his shoulder Aether attempted to wipe the liquid off. As he pulled it away he could see some blood left behind on the white of his scarf. Well hopefully it wasn’t still bleeding and it was just what was from earlier.
Some voices started chatting off in the distance. It had to be the treasure hoarders who attacked Paimon and him. When they were attacking them they had mentioned something about having a heist or something. Something big that they attacked to prevent him from stopping them. They were too far away at the moment for Aether to make out anything they were saying. Probably the best course of action would be to look for a way out and to figure out what their big plan was. From what Aether could see there were two more cells both empty. All of the cells seemed to be a small hallway attached to a larger room although Aether couldn’t really see down that way. They had to be in a cave system or possibly a hidden domain hidden in cracks of a cliff.
The voices were getting louder and seemed to be headed towards him. But nothing they were saying made any sense. Was it actually abyss mages or hilichurls coming down this way. Two Treasure hoarders came into view and stopped for a second when they saw him. They continued to speak gibberish but it was clear they were mocking him. Wait… Paimon wasn’t here. They were still speaking tevatian, he just can’t understand them anymore. Aether had a feeling of worry starting to work its way up.
The bigger blond haired Treasure hoarder started going on a long tangent about something and crossed his arms looking very smug. Aether just glared at him. With the bandanas covering both of their mouths this would make it even harder to figure what exactly they would want just with facial expressions to go by.
The brown haired treasure hoarder snapped at Aether, possibly annoyed Aether was silent. Aether just continued to glare at them. They most likely were here to gloat and possibly rub it in his face that they managed to kidnap him.
Looking at the blond one a bit more he realized he was the one who attacked Paimon and stuffed them in a bag. Aether tried to reach his hand upward to get his sword. The sparkles of his magic started to dart around at his fingertips but he couldn’t reach into it. Both of the treasure hoarders jolted, apparently recognizing what he was trying to do. They quickly unlocked the door of the cell rushing inside. The brown haired one ran in and punched Aether’s face twice.
Aether lost the grip on his magic and started spitting out the blood from his mouth. The blond haired treasure hoarder grabbed the front of Aethers shirt lifting him up just a bit hissing something at him. Aethers arms were being pulled up awkwardly as he was lifted up like this.
“I don’t understand you idiots.” Aether snapped back. The words were his own native language. The sounds of space and the stars and the secrets they would forever hold against them.
Both of the treasure hoarders seemed to stop at what Aether had said before deciding on dropping him. Aether hit the floor at an awkward angle and slumped back against the wall. His back didn’t like that endeavor. His arms were not being awkwardly pulled upwards so that was a plus.
The blond treasure hoarder sounded like he gave an order to the brunette. He nodded then sharply kicked Aether’s side. Aether coughed and shuddered in pain. Seeing his reaction he kicked again before the two left and locked the cell door behind them.
Resting his head against the wall behind him Aether tried to steady his breathing. Any deep breath caused his side to shoot with pain. To think, He and Paimon were going to stop at Wangshu Inn today to see Xiao instead. Wait Xiao could appear from anywhere. All he needed to do was call for him.
“Xiao, I need help.” Aether spoke into the air around him hoping the wind would carry it towards him. The sounds of stars filled the room around him.
Aether froze. It was in his native language.
There would be no way for Xiao to understand it. Let alone hear it from here. Stars and light don’t travel through the wind
No no no he just needed to remember how to say it right.
“Xiao,” Nothing changed.
“Xiao,” it was lighter but it still was a star sparkling in the night sky.
“Xiao!” the solar flare of a star desperately reaching out to space.
“Xiao…” a shooting star in the sky fading from view.
Aether needed Paimon. Right now they could still be in a bag after being attacked. Or they were searching for him. Paimon was the best companion he could ask for. Paimon would be searching for him. Paimon would rush to Liyue to go tell all their friends and everyone would begin to start searching for him. It could still be a long time till then. Especially if the treasure hoarders were using a hidden entrance to a domain. Those were so hard to find unless you knew exactly what you were looking for. And they sometimes closed behind you so you couldn’t go back into them ever again. Maybe if he tried remembering how to say anything in tevatian it would help him remember how to mimic the speech pattern so he could still call for Xiao.
“Um. . . Paimon is not emergency food!” Aether tried. Still the sound of stars.
“Ad astra abyssosque, Traveler, Comrade, Lament.” words from Katheryne, Zhongli, Childe and Xiao sounding like shooting stars falling and fading away in desperation to be seen.
“Xiao, please hear me.” Aether could feel tears starting to fall down his face. “I need to remember.”
Aether continued to speak Xiao’s name over and over again and the sound of stars popping into existence, falling past the sky or fading from view filled the room around him.
....
“Useless!” Xiao dashed through the air attacking the last of the hilichurls that was affected by his karmic debt. The hilichurl faded out of existence as the karmic debt finished it off. Xiao sighed as looked around the area around him. This was the last of groups that were affected currently. This was only a small group of hilichurls that got affected. They had only set up a single barrier and a pot of water. Both were shattered in the fight. The sun was just starting to rise in the sky. Seeing his work was finished Xiao dashed into the air arriving back at Wangshu Inn. It was still way early in the morning so no one was awake except for Verr Goldet and Huai’an as they got the Inn ready for the day.
Xiao remembered hearing Huai'an mention that he sent a commission yesterday to the adventurers guild to help with the over influx of monsters that were trying to set up camps again. That meant the Traveler was going to stop by. Ever since the Traveler met Xiao he had always taken up any commission from Wangshu Inn. No matter how many times Xiao had told the Traveler, mortals like him should stay away. Yet the Traveler continued to come to see him.
Although… He didn’t mind the Traveler's presence. The Traveler was a bright star compared to the suffocating darkness affecting him.
Xiao didn’t want to admit that any day spent with the Traveler had made it easier to bear his debt. It was selfish to subject the Traveler to the pain he alone should bear. He couldn’t snuff out the Travelers special light. Xiao had tried to be distant and withdrawn to try to dissuade the Traveler from seeking him out. Xiao couldn’t actually tell him outright he didn’t want to see him. It wasn’t true.
Xiao had begun to feel relieved anytime he ran into the Traveler. It was probably why Xiao hadn’t scared off any of the unaffected monster camps building up near the Inn. It was an excuse to see the Traveler. At times when Xiao was out removing the spread of his karmic debt he would see the traveler. Sometimes the Traveler would see him and chat for a moment, others he would be unaware.
Watching the traveler use the elements was fascinating. Most days the Traveler was using the power of Anemo. Other days the Traveler was using geo. It was something that was truly special about the Traveler. The Traveler also had a space to carry his belongings with him. It was like the pocket space vision users could use to store their weapon. Truly special.
Xiao waited out on the balcony of Wangshu in. Perhaps this time he would stay. If the Traveler did show up to visit before taking up the commission Xiao would help. Just to spend a little time with the Traveler again before needing to leave.
“XIAO!” Paimons voice called out desperately into the wind. Xiao straightened up in surprise. “Help me please, Traveler needs help.” Paimon called for him voice filled with panic and tears. Immediately dashing into the air, Xiao appeared where the voice had first entered the flow of wind.
It was a small roadside stop for adventures pausing for the night. The ground was all covered in footprints and a clear sign of struggle. Dirt blown in all directions by Anemo. A large bag was tied in a nearby tree hanging from the tree branches. Paimon was sobbing from inside of it before a pop of sparkles and the bag swayed in the wind empty. Then the pop of sparkles would return and Paimon’s body and sobs returned.
“Paimon?” Xiao walked forward and grabbed the top of the bag while he cut off the ropes tying it to the tree branch.
“Xiao thank goodness, they took Traveler, They attacked us and th..”
“They attacked you! Who, when?” Xiao had opened the bag and Paimon shot out. They were covered in bruises and their hair was all ruffled clearly static from being stuffed into a bag.
“Last night, we…” Paimon began desperately to wipe the tears off their face “We stopped for the night after a long day of commissions, we were going to bed before getting attacked. They were mad at Traveler because they kept stopping them from their plans. I-I don’t know where they took him. They hurt him badly and knocked us out.” Paimon desperately explained, still wiping away their tears.
Xiao felt furious. Of all the kind people in the world they attacked the two of them just because they had stopped their awful plans and wanted revenge. This had to be the fatui. The traveler had stopped many of their plans in the past. Xiao grabbed Paimon’s hand and dashed with them through the air towards one ginger fatui.
Xiao appeared with Paimon on one of the high rooftops above Liyue city and began searching for the ginger. Eventually he spotted him standing at a stall with Zhongli happily speaking to him as if he didn’t recently order the attack on the Traveler. Dashing through the air again with Paimon he appeared beside them. Childe jumped surprised at his instant appearance while Zhongli just turned to him.
“Ah Xiao, how good to see you again.” Zhongli began. Xiao quickly grabbed Childe’s shirt. Letting go of Paimons hand he dashed once more, pulling Childe with him just outside the city next to the bridge. The citizens of Liyue didn’t need to be exposed to his karma for this.
“What is happening!” Childe spoke in shock of being pulled through the air.
“Where is the Traveler!” Xiao demanded keeping his grip on his shirt to keep him from running.
“I don’t know what you mean.” Childes' look of confusion remained but Xiao could see the man begin to calculate what Xiao could really be meaning. The look of relaxation leaving and entering his true nature. One of the calculating leaders of the fatui. Xiao could see him ready to grab his weapons.
“Xiao!” Paimon yelled, floating across the bridge with Zhongli running alongside them.
“Xiao what’s going on?” Zhongli ordered.
“It wasn't Fatui, it was the treasure hoarders.” Paimon quickly explained. Xiao reluctantly let go of Childe and took a step away from him.
“I’m so confused about what's going on. What happened to our comrade?” Childe asked.
“Last night Paimon and Traveler got attacked by Treasure hoarders. They hurt him very badly. They were angry that he keeps stopping them from stealing treasures so they took him so he can’t stop them this time.” Paimon explained. Childe’s remaining look of confusion quickly faded into anger.
“So why did you attack Childe?” Zhongli asked. As Xiao opened his mouth to answer, Paimon butted in.
“I wasn’t able to explain it all before Xiao came here.” Paimon started swaying side to side and slowly floating lower and lower to the ground and the tears were coming back. Xiao felt bad for Paimon, they were attacked, knocked unconscious, left in a bag, and separated from their companion.
“Are you okay Paimon?” Zhongli asked.
“Paimon needs to get to Traveler, He needs me. I'm his travel guide.” Paimon sniffed. They ended up touching the ground. Zhongli reached down and picked Paimon up so they wouldn't have to look all the way up to the group.
“I’m sure our comrade will be fine, you’ve taught him so much.” Childe looked softer at the moment. Aether had mentioned to him that Childe apparently had younger siblings. While Xiao had never spent much time around young mortal children he had seen how their parents or adults acted around them to comfort them. Childe was clearly acting that way now to help calm Paimon down.
“No you don’t understand, Traveler won’t know what is going on if Paimon isn’t there.” Paimon began crying again. Something clicked for Xiao. Paimon was always around the Traveler. At times Paimon even answered questions for him. Xiao asked The Traveler why at one point.
“Well Paimons my travel guide, to be honest I would have no idea what anyone is saying if they weren't here.” Xiao remembered him saying. Now it made sense. At first he thought because they were a far away adventurer they just wouldn’t understand the culture or the meaning behind the words during their travels but what if it was more. The Traveler could use the elements without a vision and could switch between them. They had some magical abilities no one else possessed, what if they were using Paimon as a translator as well as a guide.
“Then we need to find the Traveler as soon as possible.” Zhongli reassured Paimon. Xiao nodded and he could see Childe nod as well.
“Xiao you’ll be the fastest out of all of us. Travel to any known treasure hoarder camps you know of. We will head to the adventurers guild and the Millelith to get information on more and to inform on what’s happened. Come back here when you need more locations.” Zhongli explained the current plan.
Xiao nodded and dashed through the air. There were two camps he really knew of.
“xiao,” was spoken quietly in the wind. Stopping Xiao listened, it had an odd accent to it and spoke hesitant and quiet. They were repeating it, their voice sore.
“xiao,” it was quiet but Xiao knew it was the Traveler's voice. The traveler was repeating his name over and over. Using that Xiao found exactly where his name entered the wind and dashed towards it.
The traveler was there in a small cell, wrists chained to the wall. Bruised and bleeding, head lowered facing the ground repeating Xiao’s name over and over again. Xiao knelt down beside him.
“Traveler, I’m here.” Xiao placed a hand on his shoulder. The traveler looked up at him surprised. “I’m here.”
The Traveler face filled with tears. He leaned forward resting his head on Xiao’s shoulder.
“Xiao,” The Traveler said, relieved. He then spoke the most beautiful sounds Xiao had ever heard. Stars beginning to fill a dark empty sky relieved and overjoyed they were found again.
“It’s okay, I’ve found you.” Xiao reassured him. Grabbing the Traveler he dashed away from this horrid place and back to a quiet mountain top away from the cell and the deep cave. The traveler winced at the movement then kept his eyes shut at the bright light.
“Sorry, I just wanted to quickly get you out of there.” Xiao explained. The Traveler pulled Xiao into a hug. The sound of stars shining down thanking him. Thanking him again for finding him for taking the time to look up just to see them. With a meteor shower falling down around them as he cried.
“You're welcome. I’m sorry I wasn’t as fast. I only just heard you.” Xiao explained. The traveler let out a hum. A hum of acknowledgment of the stars knowing and understanding .
“Xiao. . .” the traveler began before he started coughing. Coughing violently as if something was caught in his throat before it finally vanished.
The traveler took a deep breath and continued “My. . . my name is Aether.” a warm feeling passed over Xiao.
Aether, the name was surrounded by a solar system of stars.
“Aether,” Xiao tested out the name. He couldn’t make the name sound as beautiful as the stars but it still felt right.
“I’ve wanted to tell you for so long. I tried before but It was locked away.” Aether began and more tears began to fall.
“It’s alright. I know now.” Xiao hugged him again.
“Um. . . Xiao, I love you.” Aether mumbled into his shoulder. The stars aligned. They shined brightly around them and they said I love you.
“I do too.” Xiao answered. They sat there still hugging.
Xiao’s worry of his karmic debt rising for a moment but the stars brushed it away. The stars seemed to answer. “It’s okay, it won’t harm him. Darkness can’t overpower our light.” Xiao believed it. The Traveler. Aether would be okay. He won’t harm him.
“We should get back to the others and get your injuries looked after.” Xiao finally answered.
“Paimon, are they okay?” Aether pulled away looking back in the direction where Xiao found Paimon this morning.
“Paimon’s alright I found them, they are with Zhongli right now.” Xiao informed him.
Aether sighed in relief. “That's good.” Aether rested against Xiao’s chest, clearly exhausted. Xiao picked him up and dashed towards Zhongli.
They were in a small household room and Zhongli stood up off one of the chairs.
“Aether!” Paimon cheered and slammed against him in a hug. Both Aether and Paimon winced.
“Traveler, good to see you’re alright.” Zhongli said, walking over to them. “This is where I've been staying. Please feel welcome to use it as you and Paimon recover.”
“Thank you Zhongli.” Aether smiled.
“There's a spare bedroom right there.” Zhongli pointed towards the spare room and they nodded. Xiao carried Aether into the room and helped him sit down at the foot of the bed.
“Paimon was so worried, Aether. Are you okay,” Paimon sat down next to him trying to check him over.
“I’m okay, are you okay Paimon you were shoved into a bag.” Aether asked.
“I’m fine. Where did Xiao find you?” Paimon asked.
“Aether called my name and I came.” Xiao answered. Paimon stopped and looked back at Aether.
“Aether he knows your name. You were able to tell him. The bond worked.” Paimon gave Aether a big hug.
“It did.” Aether smiled and reached a hand out for Xiao. Xiao took it and let Aether pull him into a hug.
“Does he also know you like him?” Paimon asked.
Aether chuckled. “Yes I told him”
“Good, it's about time. Paimon didn’t want to watch both of you refusing to acknowledge your feelings.” Paimon crossed their arms.
Aether laughed and Xiao nodded. Aether and Paimon were now safe.
Both of them had a warm bath and both had all of their injuries bandaged. Zhongli provided food for everyone before heading out to inform the Millelith of the updated news. Paimon ended up falling asleep first.
Aether was lying down, Paimon pressed up against his side as they slept. Xiao knelt down beside the bed as Aether was slowly drifting off.
“There's one more thing I forgot to mention. Love you.” Xiao kissed Aether's forehead and Aether gave a soft smile before finally falling asleep. After waiting for a moment until he was sure Aether was asleep Xiao walked out of the room. Zhongli was waiting on the couch beside the window.
“Rex Lapis, may I go and teach those mortals a lesson.” Xiao asked.
“Very well. I do ask that you bring them to the Millelith after you are done.” Zhongli answered as he took a sip of his tea.
“I am glad you found someone you care about Xiao.” Zhongli smiled.
Xiao nodded and dashed off to that horrid cave ready to enact adepti judgment.
The end